Overview

• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's fundraising efforts are under scrutiny as he outpaced his non-Trump contenders by raising $15 million in the third quarter. Despite this, nearly all of the funds raised between July and September were spent, leaving him with a current cash-on-hand amount of $5 million.
• DeSantis's campaign, in a strategic move to counter financial challenges, has been supported by a DeSantis-aligned super PAC, 'Never Back Down', which had close to $97 million cash-on-hand at the end of June. The super PAC took on the expense of private plane travel for DeSantis, easing financial pressure on the campaign.
• In response to the deadly terrorist attack in Israel, DeSantis's administration chartered evacuation flights to assist Florida residents in leaving the conflict-ridden country. This action has become a significant part of his campaign messaging and is often used as an attack on the Biden administration's handling of the situation.
• South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, also a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, has used his position to focus on social issues. Lately, he has tackled race and racism publicly, and co-sponsored legislation that freezes Iranian funds globally in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
• Scott introduced a bill titled 'The Stop Anti-Semitism on College Campuses Act' in response to pro-Palestinian protests at U.S. colleges and universities. The bill proposes blocking federal Pell grants from going to institutions that 'peddle anti-Semitism' or permit events promoting violent anti-Semitism.